Thursday, January 28, 1999
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Bar fire called arson; $5,000 reward offered
SALEM TOWNSHIP — A Wednesday fire that destroyed the Rolling Hills Lounge at 6786 U.S. 22/Ohio 3, east of Roachester, was intentionally set.
The state fire marshal's office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the blaze, discovered at 6:17 a.m., Morrow Fire Chief Fred LaFollette said.
No one was in the building at the time of the fire, which was set inside the structure, he said.
Tipsters can call the fire marshal's office at (800) 589-2728.
Man dies week after Over-the-Rhine brawl
A man shot during a Jan. 19 street fight on East Clifton Avenue in Over-the-Rhine died late Tuesday.
James Clark, in his mid-50s, died just before midnight in University Hospital, a nursing supervisor said Wednesday. The Cincinnati Police Division's homicide unit is investigating the death, Spc. Cecil Thomas said.
Mr. Clark, whose address was not available, was wounded during a street fracas involving two groups at 66 E. Clifton Ave., near the Over-the-Rhine/Mount Auburn border. Some participants in the fight said it started because of “bad blood” between two families and their respective friends.
Bridge building begins wheremother,childdied
LANCASTER, Ohio — A bridge is being built where floodwaters washed away part of a road, killing a woman and her 3-year-old daughter.
Work began Wednesday on a concrete and steel bridge over Pleasant Run Creek, about 30 miles southeast of Columbus.
The bridge will replace the earthen fill that had surrounded a culvert and supported the road.
Floodwaters caused by heavy rain washed away a car Friday driven by Tami Kellenbarger, 23, of West Rushville.
Her daughter, Courtney, was found dead in the car, and Ms. Kellenbarger's body was found the next day, about 5 miles downstream.
The driver of a pickup truck that became lodged in the collapsed section of the road was injured.
The Fairfield County commissioners Tuesday declared the replacement project an emergency, allowing the county to skip bidding and hire a contractor.
County Deputy Engineer Bill Lozier estimated building the bridge will cost about $95,000.
Fee required after DUI termed double jeopardy
COLUMBUS — An Ohio law requiring drunken drivers to pay to have their licenses reinstated in addition to other penalties constitutes double jeopardy, an attorney for an Ashland man told the Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Scott Uskert had to pay the $250 fee after he received an administrative license suspension for failing a blood-alcohol test in 1997, attorney Joseph Kearns Jr. told the seven-member court. Later, he pleaded no contest to drunken driving and was convicted.
That's being punished twice for the same crime, Mr. Kearns said.
Not at all, countered state assistant attorney general Edward Foley.
The automatic license suspension and the reinstatement fee were civil matters, not criminal punishments, Mr. Foley said. Therefore, the double-jeopardy provision of the U.S. Constitution doesn't apply.
The high court already has ruled the administrative license suspension is constitutional, Mr. Foley said. The reinstatement fee serves the same purpose: to help ensure safe highways, he said.
Flood victims could get state, federal help
NEW PARIS, Ohio — State and federal officials toured this flood-stricken western Ohio village Wednesday to determine whether residents will be eligible for loans to restore or replace flood-damaged property.
Gov. Bob Taft has declared a state of emergency in Preble County. Forty-two homes and three businesses sustained major damage or were destroyed in last week's flooding.
The emergency declaration put into motion a damage survey by the U.S. Small Business Administration, which could make low-interest loans available if residents qualify.
“They just don't have the money to start all over again,” Mayor Mary Jane Thomas said.
Case against detective goes to Campbell court
NEWPORT — A felony case against Fort Thomas Detective Foy Razor was bound over Wednesday to Campbell Circuit Court.
Whether the tampering with evidence charge sticks could depend on the definition of the word “in.”
As in, was the law enforcer with 13 years' experience trying to impair an investigation by Newport police when he told them there were no guns in his car, and, minutes after, investigators found at least two in his trunk.
The discovery happened in the early morning of Jan. 10, after Newport police responded to a shooting at Captain's Cove Lounge at Fifth and Monmouth streets.
They discovered the shooter — allegedly Mr. Razor's son, Bryan Todd Razor, who now faces a felony charge of wanton endangerment — was in an eastbound car and began pursuing Detective Razor's unmarked Fort Thomas vehicle.
The driver, who turned out to be the father, ignored several traffic lights before finally pulling over.
Dayton mayor studies NYC adult bookstore law
DAYTON, Ohio — The mayor wants to copy a New York City-style ordinance to nudge adult bookstores and video shops out of the downtown area.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld New York City's law designed to force X-rated businesses out of Times Square.
New York challenged the businesses as neighborhood blights instead of focusing on obscenity.
Dayton Mayor Mike Turner has begun studying whether his city can enact a similar ordinance to force adult businesses in the downtown area to relocate.
Previously, the city had unsuccessfully sought to close down such businesses by charging them with pandering obscenity.
A corny idea to keep good little movies
Council targets gun makers
Arts campus plan hits snag on shelter
Bullet train possibilities tantalize
Mary Tyler Moore reveals her wounds
Sabin center plan proposed
N.Ky. convention center opening gala sold out
Pope renews morality plea, condemns death penalty
Teacher pulls kids into pope
Temporary bridge over Fort Washington Way
Dad has custody of tot left in trash
School vouchers director claims program sabotaged
Winter on hiatus 1 more day
Cap costs area schools millions
Grand jury to hear about shooting, wild police chase
Laser pointer curbs rejected
Miami pair plead not guilty
NKU tuition up 5.2% next year
Schools find new tax tough sell
Women of Faith share three days
Adopt a lizard, say 'I love you'
Time to get involved for a 'vision' for 12th Street
GOP's weak field is its own fault
Ambulance runs could cost insurers
Churches helping needy on 'Souper Bowl' Sunday
Colombians here check on loved ones
Design work starts on 50 at I-275
Detective's trial may turn on the word 'in'
Emergency school funds sought
Fix on way for tie-ups at Towne, 122
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Woman pleads guilty in burglary
